Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

For Meridian resident Tanesha Slocum, the belief that “nothing worth having comes easy” is more than a saying—it’s a way of life.

Pursuing an associate degree in nursing at the University of West Alabama, Slocum balanced service in the Army Reserve’s 828^th Battalion in Livingston with full-time college—all while raising three children, welcoming a new baby and building a new marriage. On May 8, she added another title to her list: college graduate.

“I had a great experience at UWA, and I really loved my instructors and professors,” Slocum said. “They invest so much time and energy into their students’ success. Even after I failed a class and had to sit out a year, they worked with me. They are always open to questions and willing to go over material when you don’t understand something, and I appreciate that so much.”

That belief—that nothing worth having comes easy—has defined every step of her journey and guided one of her most difficult decisions: choosing not to reenlist at the end of her contract and instead transition to full-time college.

“Even though I started the nursing program after I got married and welcomed my third child, I believe transitioning from the military was probably my greatest challenge,” she said. “Going from the consistency and stability of a steady paycheck to not working at all was difficult. Then we moved off the Naval Air Station in Meridian. It was a lot of change in a short period of time.”

Curiosity about the university near the Reserve Center ultimately led Slocum to UWA. Her interest in nursing began earlier, while working in home health after an initial attempt at college in Florida didn’t work out.

“Life got in the way back then, but I had a grandfather who was a nurse, so I decided to apply at UWA and was accepted.”

Slocum says discipline and her faith are what have carried her through—and her husband and two older children helped as well.

“I was pretty young when I had them. My daughter is now 14 and my son is 13,” Slocum said. “We’ve come a long way together. Throughout this whole process, they constantly tell me how proud they are of me. They let me know on test days that they’ve prayed for me and that I’m going to do well. My daughter acts like a little mama, asking me if I studied, and then asking for my notes so she can quiz me.”

Slocum has already completed a few prerequisites for the bachelor of science in nursing program at UWA and hopes to enter the program in October. Now she’s focusing on preparing for the NCLEX, the national licensure exam for registered nurses, and finding a job closer to home.

“I’ve been commuting for the past several years, first for work, and then for school. I’ve applied to a few places here in town, and I’m just praying for direction on where to go,” Slocum said. “I know things are going to crank up for me now that both my older children will be at Meridian High this fall—my daughter in color guard and my son playing football. But I’m not stopping yet—I still have more to accomplish.”

The post Meridian mother balances family, military service and school to earn nursing degree at UWA appeared first on University of West Alabama.

Story: Betsy Compton | Photo: Cody Ingram

The University of West Alabama will receive $1.8 million in federal funding to strengthen nursing education and workforce development, thanks to the appropriations leadership of U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.).

Senator Britt, a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, directly secured the funding through the Senate passage of the FY26 Labor, Health, and Human Services (LHHS) Appropriations Act. 

“I am proud to have directly secured $1.8 million for Sumter County in this appropriations bill,” said Senator Britt. “This funding will procure crucial medical equipment supplies and improve the nursing education facilities that help train Alabama’s strong workforce of healthcare professionals.”

The funding will support UWA’s Alabama Rural Nursing Enhanced Technology Project, which will provide the Ira D. Pruitt College of Nursing with updated high-fidelity simulation training equipment for nursing students.

These advanced tools will expand UWA’s ability to deliver continued high-quality education for students pursuing an associate of science in nursing (ASN) or bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree and better prepare graduates for certification exams and careers in healthcare. UWA nursing graduates have been among the top in the state for NCLEX pass rates for several years.

“At UWA, we are committed to providing exceptional educational experiences to our students to give them the advantage they need when they graduate and begin their careers,” said UWA President Dr. Todd G. Fritch. “This funding comes at a critical time for our region and the State of Alabama , and it will help ensure that we continue to offer high quality, workforce relevant nursing programs as we invest in advanced high-fidelity simulation equipment and facility upgrades.”

Building on the university’s existing simulation-based learning experiences, these enhancements will expand experiential learning opportunities and ensure students train using technology that reflects today’s evolving healthcare environments.

“With this support, UWA will be able to expand training capacity, modernize our learning environments, and better prepare nurses to serve the communities where they are needed most,” said Dr. Mary Hanks, Dean of the College of Nursing. “Clinical experience is a critical component of nursing education. Through simulation technology, we can provide additional hands-on experiences for our students with faculty members by their side to guide them and make the most of those teachable moments in a controlled environment.”

University leaders note that the project will significantly impact the state by helping retain licensed nurses in Alabama and addressing the ongoing nursing shortage.

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Story by: Lisa Sollie | Photo/Video: Cody Ingram

More than six years ago, Leighanna May was a nursing student in Speith Hall on the University of West Alabama campus, graduating in 2019. Today, she’s come full circle, serving as an assistant professor in the College of Nursing, teaching alongside the same faculty who once guided her. Many colleagues say her return was meant to be.

In 2022, while working at a Critical Access hospital in her hometown of Butler, Alabama, May was encouraged by several of her former instructors to consider clinical instruction. When an opportunity opened, she applied and was selected. However, before starting that role, she experienced both joy and heartbreak—welcoming her son, Owen, in October, but tragically losing her husband in December. In the wake of her devastation, May began coordinating clinical rotations at Ochsner Rush in Meridian for UWA’s nursing program in February 2023.

Since earning a master’s degree in nursing administration from the University of Alabama in August 2024, May has channeled her passion and experience into strengthening pediatric education at UWA—leading the development of new simulation experiences that better prepares nursing students for the challenges of pediatric care.

Her love for pediatrics made May the perfect fit for the position, according to Dr. Mary Hanks, dean of the College of Nursing. And it’s paid off.

“The way our clinical rotations and maternal/child courses are structured, students often study both simultaneously, and most of their time is spent with labor and delivery,” May explained. To give students more hands-on pediatric experience, the College of Nursing introduced a pediatric manikin—affectionately nicknamed ‘Carter.’

Highly versatile, Carter allows May to design realistic training exercises that test students’ critical thinking and nursing skills. In one scenario, students might find Carter “struggling to breathe” with low oxygen levels, prompting them to perform appropriate nursing interventions. During these simulations, May can identify knowledge or skill gaps and work to address them during subsequent class time.

“A pediatric mannikin like Carter is really impressive,” May said. “He has breath sounds, vital signs, and can even interact with students—sometimes telling them ‘No’ when they try to give him medicine. It’s been amusing to watch their reactions,” she added, laughing.

“These simulations are very beneficial to our program and add another layer to students’ knowledge and skill set,” May noted. “It’s a safe learning environment where students can practice in a controlled setting, and if they make mistakes, we can just turn the ‘patient’ off. I’ve asked for feedback from each class that rotates through, and they all seem to enjoy working with Carter.”

May recalls that right before graduating from UWA, many of her now-peers told her they thought she’d be a perfect candidate for nursing education. “I couldn’t see it then because I just knew I wanted to do patient care,” she said. “The Lord just provided for me to come here instead, and I’m so glad I get to do this for a living. I love teaching.”

That passion for teaching is at the heart of everything she does.

Her job, along with her colleagues, is to equip students to become highly competent nurses. But May says they never lose sight that their students aren’t just a number or an outcome.

“The people—that’s really my favorite thing about UWA’s Nursing program. Everyone cares about our students, and we want to prepare excellent nurses who care deeply about their patients and want what’s best for them. Everybody works hard to make that happen. I’m grateful to be part of such a wonderful team.”

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